The Amsterdam Stakes is typically one of Saratoga’s hidden gems in a meet full of phenomenal racing. In the last three years, Shancelot, Yaupon and Jackie’s Warrior have won the event and went on to become top-level sprinters. There may not be any world beaters in this year’s field, but there’s plenty on display to make it interesting.
The 2022 Amsterdam field features a lot of interesting handicapping angles and some decent prices on competitive runners. Many of the favorites are coming off of layoffs and the long shots aren’t out of it on paper, while one precocious gelding may end up being more dangerous than all of them. It may be the sort of race that’s a little too complex to consistently make money on, but it has more than enough to qualify as Sunday’s Race of the Day. Let’s take a look.
Saratoga, Race 9
Amsterdam Stakes (G2) for Three-Year-Olds, 6 ½ Furlongs on the Dirt
Post Time: 5:34 p.m. EST
1- Pinehurst
Something disastrously bad happened in the UAE Derby, keeping this runner out of the Kentucky Derby. It could’ve been the added distance, a legitimate setback or a combination of the two, but his workout tab has been sharp since and he’s cutting back in distance here. Based on his performances in the G3 Saudi Derby and G2 San Vicente earlier this year, he has very clear potential and could improve naturally after time off. He’s a risky contender.
2- Gunite
He has two starts this year and they were both seven furlongs, which serves us well. Following a distant runner-up finish in an optional claiming event behind runaway winner Conagher, this colt came back in the Maxfield Stakes and won in a blanket finish over fellow runners Hoist the Gold and My Prankster. With a perfect rail trip, he should have won a little easier than he did against foes who had to run wide to contend with him at the wire. He’s a game competitor with a dynamic running style and previous success at Saratoga as a two-year-old, but one has to wonder if there are others here who are more likely to improve.
3- Hoist the Gold
Based on speed figures alone, this colt wasn’t ridiculous at 30-1 on paper in the Maxfield last time out and ran very well to challenge for the lead in the stretch. Though he finished third behind fellow runners Gunite and My Prankster, he could have just as easily won, and one could argue that he had to do the most work to get there. On dirt, his last few starts have been consistent regardless of his surroundings, and he has some hidden affinity for the Saratoga track as well. A minor prize seems possible again.
4- Pappacap
Since January, I’ve had a running bit where I call this colt an overachieving loser. He’s lost five straight races since, clearly devastated by my biting commentary. I have to admit that this is finally a reasonable spot for this colt to win, as he’s obviously in form and should be able to contend against these runners. Still, he’s winless since Aug. 2021 and I have some of the same problems I’ve always had with him.
5- Accretive
This gelding has one start to his name, but it was a damn good one. Irad Ortiz handled him confidently and he delivered, blowing away a maiden field with a 91 BSF on debut. The upside is obvious and may even be compelling enough for bettors to make him a co-favorite here.
6- Runninsonofagun
His second-place finish in the G3 Dwyer is his best to date, but he lost to Charge It by 23 lengths. The fact of the matter is that he isn’t quite fast enough to contend with some of the better runners in this field, even if the cutback in distance will probably benefit him.
7- Corniche
I honestly thought I would never see this colt again after his victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, but I’m not surprised to see him come back in a sprint. It’s important to remember that the Breeders’ Cup field he defeated was exceptionally weak considering all of the talented runners in the division this year. This isn’t the worst spot to make a comeback attempt, and his form at two is good enough to compete, but all that time off must have some effect. It may be best to watch for now.
8- My Prankster
He rallied late to challenge Gunite in the Maxfield, but it ultimately proved to be another frustrating loss for a colt that has been a little inconsistent lately. The defeat against Jack Christopher in the G2 Pat Day Mile can obviously be forgiven, but losses in the Lafayette and Maxfield were both avoidable and came about because he regressed. He’s a contender, but it’s important to note that Luis Saez isn’t sticking around for this Amsterdam start.
9- Surfer Dude
His attempts to stretch out on the Derby trail were ill-fated, but the speedster has cut back to sprint distances and improved significantly. He’s a long shot in deep waters here, but he’s also capable of finding a good early position and could capitalize in the late stages.
Order: 5 1 7 8
Is Chad Brown the new king of three-year-olds? This is ridiculous, but I’m going to give him a shot in the Amsterdam. Accretive was extremely impressive in his Belmont debut last month and can only get better with more experience. I think he’s ready. Pinehurst deserves some attention despite his poor performance in Dubai, as his form before that event was very strong and his morning works since suggest that he’s ready to come back. Corniche is a Breeders’ Cup champion that deserves some respect from bettors, but the time off is obviously a concern for the morning line favorite. This may be hard to believe, but My Prankster’s best performance to date came in his two-year-old debut at Saratoga, which he won by 10 lengths with a 92 BSF. He deserves a look at a price.